HISTORY OF AREQUIPA: MOST OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2025

The history of Arequipa, according to archaeological evidence, dates back to 9000 years BC. C. It is believed that in the beginning small indigenous communities lived that were semi-nomadic.

Later this Peruvian territory was inhabited by the Incas, who settled there in the mid-12th century.

Since then part of the Inca civilization lived in Arequipa until the arrival of the Spanish. In 1540 they founded in that territory the “Villa de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora del Valle Hermoso de Arequipa”.

This territory did not last long as a town, since in 1541 the King of Spain called it the city of Arequipa.

In the 16th century the Spanish Crown granted him the titles of "Very Noble and Very Loyal", and in 1805 that of "Fidelísima".

He obtained these titles because that city followed all the rules and mandates of the Spanish monarchy. This obedience was due to the fact that most of its inhabitants were Spanish.

Arequipa has been a fundamental part of the history of Peru. It was the center of many civic rebellions and showed opposition to the form of government established by Simón Bolívar.

You may also be interested in the traditions of Arequipa.

Prehispanic era

Before the arrival of the Spanish in Arequipa there lived a group of indigenous communities that were semi-nomadic.

With the passage of time they became specialized in hunting, fishing, domestication of animals and agriculture.

As these peoples were semi-nomadic, they migrated to other territories; the space was depopulated. By the middle of the 12th century the Incas arrived and established their settlements there.

Origin of the name Arequipa

The origin of the name of the indigenous city of Arequipa until now is uncertain. Some believe that it was created by the Incas and others that it was created by the Aymara peoples.

Inca legend

For some, the indigenous city of Arequipa was created in 1170. According to this legend, the Inca Capac was in the middle of one of his expeditions.

At one point he stopped in a valley that was not populated. Admired for its beauty, he decided to stay there and establish his settlements.

According to the legend, his men wanted to stay in that place and the Inca told them Ari-quepay, which in their language means “let's stay here” or “yes, let's stay”.

Later there they founded the towns of Cayma, Paucarpata, Chacarato and Yanahuara, among others.

This story is the one most accepted by the majority of Peruvian historians, since when the Spanish arrived, some Incas inhabited these lands. The legend is described in the book by Garcilaso de la Vega.

Aymara legend

There are those who maintain that it was the Aymara peoples that gave rise to the city of Arequipa. It is said that the Aymara inhabited this territory before the Incas and named it after “ari”, which means top or edge; and “quipa”, which means “behind”.

This legend specifies that they gave it this name because from there you can see the Misti volcano .

Others consider that the term comes from ariquepan, which means "sonorous trumpet", a name that the Aymara gave to sea snails.

Colonial period

In the year 1540, the “Villa de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora del Valle Hermoso de Arequipa” was founded by Don Garcí Manuel de Carbajal on behalf of Francisco Pizarro.

On September 22, 1541, the town was renamed city, since its inhabitants included noblemen, Castilians and Andalusian noblemen; for this it was necessary to change its category.

That same year, the King of Spain granted the city of Arequipa the coat of arms that it currently has.

Later, in the middle of the 16th century, Viceroy Francisco Álvarez de Toledo granted the city the title of “Very Noble and Very Loyal”.

This title was confirmed by the Spanish Crown in 1580. Through a royal certificate, he praises the midwives for having donated their jewels to improve the situation of the Royal Treasury.

The loyalty of the city of Arequipa with the Spanish Crown was maintained over the years, making it the holder of the title of "Fidelísima", which was granted in 1805.

Fight for independence

Arequipa was part of the struggle for independence. This happened because most of the illustrious Creole families began to have thoughts in favor of freedom and the union of the country.

In 1814 Arequipa witnessed one of the first struggles for the Independence of Peru, when Mateo García Pumacahua led his army against the royalists, who were led by Francisco Picoaga.

The army in favor of independence was victorious in this fight and for a short period of time Arequipa was free, since in 1815 the city was taken by the royalists.

Mateo García Pumacahua had to flee. Later he was captured and shot, on March 17, 1815. The fight did not stop there, since several civil confrontations were fought in Arequipa for many years.

Although the revolutions in search of independence began in Arequipa, this territory was in the power of the Spaniards much more than the north of Peru, a territory where not so many battles were fought and which became independent long before the south.

Arequipa after independence

In 1822 Arequipa was named a department. Arequipa opposed the form of government established by Simón Bolívar.

This was because there were still some citizens who supported the Spanish Crown and others simply had a different way of thinking than Bolívar.

Arequipa was part of the War of the Pacific. In 1882 Lizardo Montero proclaimed himself president and declared that territory the capital of Peru.

This appointment did not last long, since in 1883 his government was deposed after a military revolt.

Current era

Arequipa currently has one of the best economies in the Republic of Peru. Commerce, agriculture and industries have developed there to a great extent. Arequipa is considered the second most important city in Peru.

This city was declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. It is also recognized worldwide for its landscapes and gastronomy.

Arequipa is called "The Lion of the South", in honor of the large number of revolutionary uprisings that arose in that territory.

References

1. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from Wikipedia.org
2. History of Arequipa. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from aboutarequipa.com
3. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from britannica.com
4. History of Arequipa. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from motherearthtravel.com
5. Historical Center of the City of Arequipa. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from whc.unesco.org
6. Arequipa Information. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from machupicchu.org
7. Arequipa History Facts and Timeline. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from world-guides.com